Adjustable Floor Box Frame for Flush Installation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Floor boxes for electrical installations need to be adjustable to accommodate different thicknesses of floor coverings, such as carpet, parquet, or tiles, to ensure a flush finish and avoid obstacles, but existing solutions lack simplicity and effectiveness in achieving this adjustment.

Innovation Solution

A floor box design featuring a support frame with adjustment means that allow horizontal displacement, rotation, and vertical adjustment of the frame relative to the support frame, using a base plate with sleeves and threaded bolts for precise alignment and fixation, ensuring the frame lies flush with the floor covering.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the frame is fixed rigidly to the support frame, then the installation is simple and stable, but the floor box cannot adapt to different floor covering thicknesses

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different floor covering thicknessesVSAvoidcomplexity of adjustment mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The frame is made dynamically adjustable relative to the support frame through adjustment means that enable horizontal displacement, rotation, and vertical positioning. This allows the frame to adapt to different floor covering thicknesses while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the frame is made adjustable to different positions, then it can fit various floor coverings, but the adjustment and alignment process becomes time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustability to floor covering variationsVSAvoidtime for adjustment and alignment
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The adjustment means are pre-configured on the support frame, allowing installers to directly adjust the frame to the required position without complex preparation steps. The threaded bolts and fixing mechanisms are ready for immediate use, reducing adjustment time while maintaining full adaptability to different floor coverings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Manufacturing precision

If the frame can be displaced horizontally and rotated, then precise alignment is achieved, but the fixing mechanism becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprecision of frame alignmentVSAvoidcomplexity of fixing mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The base plate serves as an intermediary element between the support frame and the frame. It provides a stable mounting surface with pre-arranged adjustment means, enabling precise horizontal displacement and rotation of the frame while keeping the fixing mechanism itself relatively simple through the use of standard threaded bolts and fixing screws.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables optimal adjustment to various floor coverings, ensuring the frame is flush with the floor surface, allowing for easy installation and maintenance while preventing obstacles, and can be used for different types of installations beyond electrical, like air or water connections.

Implementation Method 1

deform the base plate in such a way that at least its corner regions engage the support frame with a friction fit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP1931004B1Base plate, in particular for electric installations
Publication Date: 2010.08.11 FELLER AG
  • EP1931004B1 patent drawingFigure 1~8
  • EP1931004B1 patent drawingFigure 2~9
  • EP1931004B1 patent drawingFigure 4~7

AI summary

The socket base (1) has a support frame (2) and a framework (3), where the framework is arranged in support frame. An adjusting unit (5) lies against the support frame in the released position of height adjustment of the framework. The horizontal displacement of the framework in the support frame and the rotation of the framework around vertical middle axis is allowed and fixed in a fixing position of the framework at the support frame.